Search continues for suspect who fatally shot Seton Hall student

Jerry McCrea/The Star-LedgerA Seton Hall University student was fatally shot, and four others injured, at an off-campus party early Saturday in East Orange. Authorities are still searching for the shooter.

EAST ORANGE — Investigators from five law enforcement agencies today continue to search for the man who fatally shot a Seton Hall student early Saturday at a house party near the university campus.

The unknown shooter opened fire after being turned away from the party, striking Jessica Moore, 19, and four others at an East Orange home, authorities said. Moore, of Virginia, died hours later at University Hospital in Newark.

Investigators from the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, along with East Orange, South Orange and Newark police departments, and Seton Hall campus police, are all involved in the search.

"It remains a very active investigation," East Orange police Sgt. Andrew DiElmo said this morning. DiElmo said police may provide an updateon the search for the suspect early this afternoon.

Saturday night, about 500 friends, teachers and fellow students attended prayer service at the school. Moore's parents, grandparents and uncle were also on campus, mourning her death and praying for her.

After the service, Christian Powe, who said he and Moore were first classmates and then "real tight" after sharing an oral rhetoric class together, called her someone "you can really open up to."

She was nicknamed "Tennessee," he said, a nod to her roots there, and said she was a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers, texting him the scores of their games when he couldn't watch them on TV.

"She had a magnetic personality," he said.

Another victim, Nakeisha Vanterpool, 19, who was a suitemate of Moore's, was taken to University Hospital, where she communicated on Facebook. In a midnight post, she wrote, "When I needed someone to talk to Jess was there, she is more then just my friend she is my sister, she loved me for who I am and saved my life."

Moore had been at the party early Saturday when a fight started after a man was kicked out, authorities said. He returned a short time later with a gun.The Associated Press contributed to this report.